Treatment and Management of Osteoporosis

How is osteoporosis diagnosed?

Your health care provider will ask questions about your health and give you a complete check-up.

A specialized x-ray test called bone densitometry (DEXA) can:

• Detect osteoporosis before a fracture occurs;

• Predict your chances of fracturing in the future; and 

• Determine your rate of bone loss and/or monitor the effects of treatment.

Your doctor also may order a urine test to detect calcium loss or markers of bone resorption.

How can you prevent and treat osteoporosis?

Building strong bones, especially before the age of 35, can be the best defense against developing osteoporosis. A healthy lifestyle is also important for keeping bones strong.

Six tips to prevent and treat osteoporosis.

Exercise
Exercise that forces you to work against gravity – weight-bearing exercises such as walking or jogging – helps prevent osteoporosis. But the benefits of exercise last only as long as you keep exercising. Talk with your health care provider or ask for a referral to a physical therapist to learn what type of exercise you can do safely not only to preserve bone but also to strengthen your back and hips, maintain flexibility and reduce the risk of falling.

Eat a balanced diet rich in calcium and vitamin D
Calcium is important for all age groups to help build healthy, strong bones throughout life. To make sure that a lack of calcium is not weakening your bones, eat foods rich in calcium. These include dairy products and dark leaf and green vegetables. All adults need at least 1200 mg of calcium and 800IU of vitamin D each day. The average American diet including dairy products contains only 600 mg of calcium each day. A child's requirement for calcium and vitamin D varies with age. Check with your child’s doctor for requirements.

Limit alcohol intake
The seriousness of alcohol’s effect on osteoporosis depends on how much and how often you drink alcohol.

Stop smoking
Smoking can lead to osteoporosis.

Use of supplements
Take calcium and vitamin D supplements as recommended by your health care provider.

Use of medications
If you have been diagnosed with osteoporosis, and it is too severe to rely on calcium supplements and/or diet changes, your doctor may prescribe one of the following:

• Bisphosphonates 
  • Boniva® (ibandronate)
  • Reclast® (zoledronic acid)
• Fosamax® (alendronate)
• Actonel® (risedronate)
• Didronel® (etidronate)
• Aredia® (pamidronate)
• Selective form of parathyroid hormone
• Forteo® (teripartatide)
• Evista® (raloxifene)
• Synthetic form of the hormone calcitonin
• Miacalcin® (calcitonin)

New medicines are continually being developed.

This information has been approved by Jennifer Janssen, MD (April 2008).